The significance of cardiotocographic monitoring in pregnancy complicated by intrauterine growth retardation and prematurity.

Intrauterine growth retardation is a condition of chronic fetal compromise. The most accurate method of fetal assessment in this condition is by serial cardiotocography. In pregnancy associated with intrauterine growth retardation, abnormal cardiotocography with spontaneous decelerations may be an indicator of imminent fetal death in utero. Delivery should be effected immediately if the fetus is at a gestation where viability is probable.